USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H., Volume 1852 > Part 17
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their numbers, and so much further as the officers of the First Congregational Society, with the advice and consent of Rev. Mr. Leonard and the selectmen, may deem expedient, for the term of one year."
A similar vote was passed March 18, 1828, with this difference, however, that "the standing committee of the First Society meet the committee of the Second Congrega- tional Society for the purpose of dividing the sabbaths to which said societies are entitled." In March, 1829, the vote of the society was " that the First Trinitarian Congre- gational Society in Dublin have leave to occupy the meeting- house every thirteenth sabbath, the ensuing year."
While the Second Congregational Society occupied the meeting-house their proportion of the year, the town refused to grant them the use of the Town Hall; but, in 1829, the town "voted that the Second Congregational Society have leave to occupy the Town Hall twelve sabbaths, and that the First Congregational Society have the same privilege."
In March, 1830, the vote of the town was, "that the Trinitarian Congregational Society in Dublin have leave to occupy the Town Hall for purposes of religious worship the ensuing year, on condition that they relinquish their privi- lege of occupying the new meeting-house on sabbath-days, and insure the Town House from injury by reason of their occupying the same." The society took the hall with the above condition, and occupied it till their brick church was completed in 1836. In the meantime, different preachers were employed. The Rev. Samuel Harris remained as the hired pastor two years. The church was dedicated in 1836 ; and the sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Bouton, of Concord, N. H. Rev. James Tisdale, who graduated at Brown University, R. I., was engaged in the summer of 1836, and supplied the desk during the three subsequent years. He was a man of various learning, ear- nest and active in the cause of popular education, and a ready debater in the Lyceum. As he was about to remove his family to Gilsum in 1841, the following resolution was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Dublin Lyceum : -
" Resolved, That the thanks of the members of the Dublin Lyceum be presented to the Rev. James Tisdale for the interest which he has taken in our exercises during his residence in town, and for the efficient aid which he has rendered by delivering lec-
24
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
tures, writing for and conducting the paper, making reports on subjects assigned, and engaging in the debates; and that we wish him and his family success and prosperity in the new field of labor he is about to occupy."
Mr. Henry A. Kendall received a call from the church and society to settle as their minister, September, 1840. Mr. Kendall's reply to the church was as follows : -
" To the Committee of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Dublin.
" Christian Brethren, - Having been called, in the providence of God, to labor with you for a season in the cause of Christ, and having now received a call from you to become your pastor, I have sought divine direction in regard to my continuing with you; and feeling that God has opened the way for me still to labor with and for you, in promoting his kingdom in this place, I do therefore accept your call, praying that the God of all grace would enable us to do his will in the faithful discharge of the duties of our rela- tions one to another, and to our common Lord. - And subscribe myself yours in Christian love and fellowship,
"HENRY A. KENDALL.
" To LUKE RICHARDSON, MALACHI RICHARDSON, Committee of the Church.
" DUBLIN, Sept. 18, 1840."
" DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 1840.
" The following pastors and delegates, invited by letters missive from the Trinitarian Congregational Church and Society in Dublin, met at the house of Mr. Luke Richardson, at two o'clock, P.M .: -
Pastors. Delegates.
Church in Keene Rev. Z. S. BARSTOW .
Church in Rindge .
Rev. A. W. BURNHAM
.
Deacon EBEN. BROWN.
Church in Hancock Rev. ARCHIBALD BURGESS Deacon STEPHEN WOOD.
Church in Jaffrey Rev. J. D. CROSBY Deacon PHINEHAS SPALDING.
Church in Nelson
Br. SAMUEL GRIFFIN.
Church in New Ipswich Rev. SAMUEL LEE Deacon ISAAC ADAMS.
Church in Marlborough Rev. MOSES G. GROSVENOR Br. THOMAS TOLMAN.
Church in Mont Vernon
Br. DANIEL KENDALL.
.
.
"They were organized as an ecclesiastical council by the choice of Rev. Mr. Burgess moderator, and Rev. Mr. Lee scribe. Prayer was offered by the moderator.
" The doings of the church and society in the call of Mr. Ken- dall, and his reply to the same, also his certificate of church mem- bership, and his license to preach the gospel, were presented, and voted satisfactory. Voted to proceed to the ordination of Mr. Kendall as pastor of the Trinitarian Church, to-morrow at ten o'clock.
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" The public services were assigned as follows :
Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. JAMES TISDALE.
Introductory prayer
Rev. Mr. CROSBY.
Sermon by Prof. WARNER; in his absence
Rev. Mr. BURGESS.
Ordaining prayer
Rev. Mr. BARSTOW.
Fellowship of the churches
Rev. Mr. FRENCH.
Address to the people
Rev. Mr. LEE.
Concluding prayer ยท
Rev. Mr. GROSVENOR.
" Church-meeting, May 14, 1842, at the meeting-house ; opened by reading Matt. xviii. 21-35, and prayer."
The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz. : -
" Believing that holding slaves is contrary to the spirit of the gospel, and consequently inconsistent with Christian character, we therefore as a church of Christ, -
" Resolve, 1. That we deplore the existence of the sin of slavery in the church. 2. That we cannot and do not recognize the slave- holder continuing such, as a worthy follower of Jesus Christ. 3. That we cannot fellowship those who thus walk, as we think, contrary to the gospel-rule, and therefore must not invite them to our communion."
June 4, 1850, Rev. H. A. Kendall requested a dismission. An ecclesiastical council was called, and met July 18, 1850. The result of the council was, that the pastoral relations between Rev. Mr. Kendall and his people be dissolved. The following is an extract from said result : -
" In coming to this decision, the council are happy that nothing has come to their knowledge which injuriously affects the Chris- tian and ministerial character of the pastor; but, on the contrary, they are highly gratified in witnessing the meekness which he has manifested, and particularly his earnest desire and willingness to make sacrifices for the future peace and prosperity of the church of Christ in this place ; and it gives us pleasure to recommend him as a devoted and faithful minister of the gospel."
" Feb. 4, 1851, the Trinitarian Congregational Church voted unanimously to present a call to the Rev. Alonzo Hayes to become their pastor."
The answer of Mr. Hayes was as follows : -
" Respected Brethren, - The many marks of kindness you have shown me, and the interest you have manifested in my labors among you, encourage me to believe that a minister will find among you those motives to diligence and those sources of happi- ness in the prosecution of his work in the ministry, which are
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denied to many in this changing age, when so many seem indif- ferent both to the gospel and those who preach it.
" When I regard your circumstances as a church and people, I feel deeply interested in your welfare, and earnestly desire that God would pour out his Spirit and quicken his people, and bring many souls into the fold of Christ.
" Difficulties must be met and sacrifices made by me. But these are things the minister of Christ must expect, and which I have long since resolved should never deter me from laboring in the field where the providence of God seemed to call. Encouraged to believe that I am acting under the direction of the Great Head of the church, on whom I rely for his blessing and guidance, I accept the invitation of this church and society to become their pastor, believing that the friends of Christ will ever co-operate with me in every good work, and never cease to pray that my labors among you may be blessed.
" I accept your invitation, provided you give me three sabbaths in a year, and pay the salary semi-annually.
" Yours truly, ALONZO HAYES."
Rev. Mr. Hayes resigned his pastoral office in March, 1853, and removed to Washington, D. C.
The whole number of members of the church in 1852 was forty-six. The deacons are Jesse Morse and Abijah Richardson.
DEACONS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
There is no record of the time when the first deacons were chosen. Eli Morse and Benjamin Learned were in office when Mr. Sprague was ordained, and were elected pro- bably about the time of Mr. Farrar's settlement, June, 1772. Deacon Morse resigned his office, it is supposed, in 1795 ; and Francis Appleton was chosen in his place in Sep- tember of that year. Deacon Morse died July 18, 1814, aged ninety-two. Deacon Learned died Sept. 5, 1818, aged seventy-seven. Stephen Jewett Woods was chosen deacon, June 4, 1818. He came with his family from Sterling, Mass. After resigning his office in the First Church, he was chosen a deacon in the Second Church, and continued in the same till his removal to Dunstable, Mass. Deacon Appleton resigned his office, Nov. 6, 1831; and the following is an extract from the church-records of that date : -
" At a meeting of the church after divine service, Deacon Fran- cis Appleton tendered his resignation, upon which the following resolutions, offered by J. K. Smith, passed unanimously : - ' Re-
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
solved, That, in consideration of the long and faithful services rendered this church by Francis Appleton in the office of deacon, his request to tender his resignation be accepted; and that, while we express to him our regret for his determination, we also express our gratitude and thankfulness for the fidelity with which he has discharged the duties pertaining to his office.'"
Cyrus Chamberlain and Ebenezer Perry were chosen dea- cons, April 27, 1832. Mr. Chamberlain with his family removed to Pembroke, N.Y., in 1835, and Jonathan K. Smith, July 1, 1836, was chosen in his place. Deacon Perry, in 1846, removed to Peterborough, and continued to hold his office till 1850, when the following letter, tendering his resignation, was received : ---
" PETERBOROUGH, Nov. 25, 1850.
" To the First Congregational Church in Dublin under the pastoral care of Dr. Leonard.
" Brethren and Sisters, -It is now more than four years since I removed from the town. Though located on the borders, circum- stances rather than my wishes have made it inconvenient for me ' faithfully to attend and conscientiously to support' with you the institutions of religion. I have long indulged the hope that some wave of Providence would carry me back,-that the ' cloud by day or pillar of fire by night' would indicate a resting place where I might spend my days in the place of my nativity, surrounded by time-hallowed associations of early years and Christian fellowship, and lay my bones at last with those of my fathers and kindred. But the future prospect is, as yet, undefined. Under these circum- stances it seems improper that I should longer retain an office, the duties of which have been so imperfectly performed. Justice to our pastor, to my colleague in office, to you, as well as to myself, clearly indicate the propriety of my resignation.
" With many thanks for your forbearance and Christian courtesy, I therefore request you to appoint some worthy brother to fill the place which, for some time past, I have merely occupied.
"In resigning office in the church, I would, with your permis- sion, retain a membership till duty shall point to a different con- nection.
NOTE.
COMMUNION SERVICE. - It was the practice of the First Church, from the begin- ning, or at least from an early period, to observe the right of the Lord's Supper only four times in a year; namely, on the first sabbaths in May, July, September, and November. Without a stove to warm the meeting-house, the sitting in the church, after the morning exereises, was too uncomfortable for profitable attention to such a service. Since the year 1842, however, the house being warmed, the rite of the Supper has been observed six times in a year, or every two months. Except in the winter, there has usually been a lecture in the afternoon of the Friday before the Communion.
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
" With ardent prayers for your prosperity and edification, I re- main, brethren and sisters, yours in bonds of Christian fellowship and love, EBENEZER PERRY."
Jesse Ripley Appleton was chosen deacon, April 30, 1852 ; and he, with J. K. Smith, are still in office.
SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN DUBLIN.
From the best information, it appears that there were several families of the Baptist persuasion in the north-west part of Dublin and the adjacent towns at an early period .* They were considered a part or branch of the Baptist Church of Richmond, under the pastoral care of Elder Maturin Ballou, father of the late Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston. Their great distance made it very inconvenient to attend upon the ordinances of the gospel at that place. Elder Ballou occasionally preached here to remedy in part this inconvenience. This arrangement continued until Oct. 8, 1785, when a meeting was called at the house of Br. John Wight, to take the initiatory steps towards organizing a separate church in Dublin. A request for that purpose was sent to the church at Richmond, and a favorable answer was received. By appointment, a meeting was held at the house of John Muzzey, Dec. 7, 1785, at which Elder Ballou and his son Maturin Ballou, jun., from the church at Rich- mond, appeared as pastor and delegate, and Elder Bayley and Br. Caleb Aldrich from the church at Westmoreland. The church at Dublin was then organized, consisting of fourteen male members and sixteen females, viz. : Joseph Brown, John Wight, John Knowlton, John Muzzey, Seth Cobb, Ebenezer Cobb, Aaron Marshall, Samuel Sargeant of Marlborough, Joseph Mason, Ezra Morse, Moses Pratt,
* The first mention of the Baptist Society in the town-records is found in a warrant for a town-meeting to be held April 29, 1784. The following is the article: " To hear the plea of those who call themselves the Baptist Society for being excused from paying Mr. Sprague's salary, and to act any thing relating thereto as the town shall see proper." This article was inserted on the petition of Moses Pratt and fifteen others. They say that " the selectmen had rated them (the Baptist Society) to Mr. Sprague for the year 1783, and they beg leave to tell them that they look upon it as unjust and a real grievance." They request the selectmen to call a town-meeting, that they may lay their reasons for redress before the people. The town "voted to excuse all those from paying Mr. Sprague's salary for the last year, who have made a profession of the Baptist persuasion in this town, provided they bring a certificate from the clerk of their society that they were in communion with them before Mr. Sprague's salary was assessed, and they are excused for the present year."
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
Joshua Twitchell, William Haven, Josiah Reed, Molley Riggs, Elizabeth Wight, Martha Knowlton, Anna Mason, Lydia White, Abigail Cobb, Elizabeth Wight, jun., Martha Hunt, Sarah Phillips, Olive Pratt, Elizabeth Bemis, Debo- rah Sargeant, Sarah Rowell, Lucy Haven, Sister Hinds, and Nancy Morse.
From this time till 1829, the church and society remained in the same form outwardly, but fluctuated very much in numbers at different times. During the year 1797, the number of admissions to the church was twenty-nine; and, in 1806, forty-eight persons were added to it ; while, for ten years following, August, 1818, there were only five admis- sions.
The whole number of admissions, from the formation of the church to 1829, was one hundred and ninety-seven ; males seventy-six, females one hundred and twenty-one, which, added to the original thirty, is two hundred and twenty-seven ; males ninety, females one hundred and thirty- seven. Of these, one hundred and seventy-four were ad- mitted by baptism, and twenty-three by letter. Sixty-six of these members were dismissed to other churches, twenty- nine were excluded, and fifty-eight died previous to 1829. Of the remaining sixty-four, no record is given, except that a part of them renewed the covenant in 1829 at the re- organization of the church.
The first Baptist minister hired was Elder Isaiah Stone. The first Baptist sermon was preached by Elder Ballou, at the house of John Muzzey, who is said to have been the first man in town who became a Baptist.
Elder Moses Kinney came to dispense the divine word to this branch of the church, Aug. 23, 1787. He remained till May, 1794. He was held in high esteem by his people ; but, thinking that duty called him to another part of the Lord's vineyard, he was dismissed ; and Elder Elijah Willard was ordained May 11, 1794. He continued to labor in the ministry with fidelity until 1829, when he was succeeded by Elder McGregory.
Elder Willard survived till Aug. 19, 1839, but preached only occasionally after 1829. During a long and devoted ministry, he was very successful in his labors, manifesting a zeal in the cause of his Master seldom exceeded ; and finally, at the advanced age of eighty-nine, he was taken from his earthly labors to the enjoyment of that " exceeding great
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
reward," reserved for those who have been " faithful unto death."
When the church was re-organized, or renewed their cove- nant in 1829, only two of the original members of the church, one male and one female, remained to them ; and they died soon after. Forty-two others, thirteen males and twenty-nine females, united with them at this time. Dec. 25, 1849, a vote was passed for another renewal of their covenant. During the intervening period of twenty years, there were added to the church by baptism one hundred and seven, by letter thirty-four, and five former members restored ; making a total of one hundred and forty-six, which, with the forty-two that renewed the covenant in 1829, makes the whole number of members in that period one hundred and eighty-eight ; ninety-three males and ninety-five females. Twenty-six died during the said period, seventy-seven were dismissed to other churches, and sixteen were dropped or excluded ; leaving sixty-three nominal members. Some had removed to other places, without taking a regular dismissal. Elder McGregory's name does not appear among the church- members, and it is not known precisely at what time he left town. Mr. Clark Sibley preached to the people before 1831, but the records are silent as to the time when he began. In April, 1831, the church voted to send for a council to ordain him, and he was ordained June 2d of that year. He was succeeded by Rev. Harrison W. Strong, respecting whom there is no record. He was settled in New Ipswich in 1843. Feb. 23, 1839, Mr. James P. Appleton was received into the church by letter from the church of Plymouth, and ordained as colleague with Elder Willard. He was dismissed May 1, 1840. The desk was supplied for a time by Mr. D. P. French. Feb. 27, 1842, Elder Henry Tonkin became their minister. He was dismissed March 29, 1843. During the two following years, the desk was supplied by Mr. E. D. Farr, from New. Hampton, and by Mr. Milton W. Ball, of Unity. Elder Warren Cooper of Winchendon, Mass., came in August, 1845, and con- tinued till 1848. He was succeeded by Elder Charles Cummings, who labored with much efficiency to build up the church. The church voted, Dec. 15, 1849, to re-organize, with a view to the enjoyment of a closer walk with each other, and with their Lord and Master; but, the initiatory steps for this measure were scarcely taken, before their
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
beloved pastor was suddenly taken from the service of the church below to join in the more exalted service of that above. The sudden bereavement seemed to the smitten flock like a personal affliction, and probably quickened their movements in re-organizing the church on a plan he sug- gested as more efficient in promoting their spiritual enjoy- ment and growth in grace.
Sixty members of the church, twenty-five males and thirty-five females, renewed their covenant-engagements at the commencement of the year 1850. Up to this time (June, 1852), there have been five additions by letter and one by baptism, making a total of sixty-six. Twelve of these have been dismissed to other churches ; six have died ; and several have removed to other places, without having, as yet, obtained a dismission.
Elder Henry Archibald supplied preaching until the spring of 1852, when Elder Lyman Culver, from Gilmanton, succeeded him as pastor of the church.
The first meeting-house for the use of this society was built in the year 1797. It was built in the usual style of church-architecture at that day; the main building being forty feet by thirty on the ground, with a porch at each end. It was built near the east line of lot No. 20, in the ninth range, and, as was then customary, located on the top of a hill. In 1830, the porches were taken off, and the house repaired. In 1844, the house was removed to its present location, on lot 21, and fitted up in modern style.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
There had been a few Methodists in the north-west part of the town for more than forty years, who classed them- selves with the members of the same church in Marlborough, and formed part of a circuit, holding their meetings at private dwellings until the year 1842. In this year, they erected a meeting-house in Dublin, on the road leading from Pottersville to Marlborough.
Elder Dudley, a local preacher, was their minister for several years ; and, in 1852, Rev. Ira Carter was stationed there. Several of the persons who officiated in this circuit in its early day, became, in after-years, distinguished and eminent men. Among these were the eccentric Lorenzo Dow ; the late Bishop Hedding ; and Martin Ruter, after-
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wards president of a southern university, and, when he died, a bishop in the southern branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the years 1842 and 1843, some persons were interested in the doctrines of the Second Advent, or Miller- ism, as it was then called. Meetings were held in the Baptist Church, but the excitement soon subsided ; and it is not known that there are at the present time any adherents to the Second Advent doctrines in the town.
During the prevalence of Mormonism in Peterborough, one of the ministers, Elder McGinn, held two meetings in town ; the first in the Town Hall, and the second in the First Congregational Church. His success in making con- versions to the Mormon faith was very small.
MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES.
At the time Mr. Leonard was ordained, and especially in subsequent years, the subject of ministerial exchanges excited much interest. Mr. Leonard had always expressed his readiness to exchange pulpit-services with ministers of all denominations, claiming the right of deciding for himself upon the propriety or expediency of an exchange. The First Congregational Society, at their annual meeting, March 20, 1827, after voting to the Second Congregational Society their proportion of sabbaths, " to the full extent according to numbers," " Voted that the members of the First Con- gregational Society are willing that the Rev. Mr. Leonard should exchange services with all regularly ordained clergy- men in good standing, without reference to particular tenets, sects, or denominations, as his judgment and discretion may dictate." This vote was renewed twice in after-years ; first in 1830, and again in 1839.
WARMING THE CHURCH.
At a meeting of the town, June 5, 1820, " Voted that the First Congregational Society in Dublin have the use of the new meeting-house, for the purpose of attending public worship and other ecclesiastical purposes, reserving to the
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owners of pews their right." The seats for the singers were not included in the above vote. The above vote was not considered as authority for warming the house with a stove. Accordingly, the following article was inserted in the warrant for a town-meeting, March 12, 1822: "To see if the town will consent that the Congregational Society put a stove into the new meeting-house." The town "voted against having a stove put into the new meeting-house." In consequence of the above refusal, the society, Dec. 31, 1823, " voted to have only one service on sabbath-days, until the annual meeting in March next ; the service to commence precisely at 12 o'clock at noon." This arrange- ment did not prove satisfactory ; and, in subsequent winters, when the severity of the cold was very great, the school- house on the hill, as it could easily be warmed, was taken as a place of worship. In 1827, the town gave leave to have a stove placed in the church ; but some men of influence were still opposed to the measure, and a stove was not procured. But, in the year 1830, many persons were determined that the place of worship should be made com- fortable ; a subscription was raised for procuring two stoves for the meeting-house ; and they obtained a policy of in- surance for the house, in case of its being burned in conse- quence of putting up the stoves. A short experience in a warm church changed public opinion ; no more objections were ever expressed; and those who had been most opposed to stoves seemed equally with the rest to rejoice in the comfort of their warmth.
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